Because of my little get together with those three officers, I had to walk to the tavern. But I had a new shirt and a battle wound always worked charms on the ladies. The light-crystals lined all of the stores and taverns, making a clear path down the streets. Though it was night, Archadies was a lively city, and the nightlight drew out all sorts of people. A pair of Seeq gambled on the corner, and a lone viera sat on the edge of the street, dangling her legs over the edge. All viera were pretty, but they had some kind of attitude problem. And it ran deep, so I stayed far away from those heartbreakers. The last building was a wide, two-story café exclusive to sky pirates. A restaurant for scoundrels, thieves and headhunters. Balthier's place also made a mean Sky Shot- Arcahdie's own recipe passed down from the legendary sky pirate himself.
I opened the doors, welcomed by the sound of glasses filling and being emptied in eager swallows. In a few glances, I'd assessed the entire tavern. Plenty of wenches to woo tonight. I took a stool, and smiled casually to the girl beside me. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and a strong tolerance for shots.
"I'll be taking another one." She gestured to the bartender.
"So will I, and this lovely ladies' is on me as well." She smiled.
"I haven't seen you in a while." I was suddenly alert. She knew me? That was no good. But she hadn't slapped me or tried to kiss me yet, so I went with it.
"Nor have I, and that explains why my eyes are so sore. I haven't laid eyes on a soft sight in this city in some time." She responded well, with a cute laugh.
"Here are your shots." Two large glasses were placed before us. My eyes grew.
"These- shots?" The bartender shrugged. "They got bigger."
"You were not here for a while- and things have changed."
"For the better, I hope." We lifted glasses and tapped the rims together. "Cheers."
The glasses accumulated rather quickly. In the first minute there was one, in the next five. After that, I lost count and dared not try to sum them up either. Along with empty glasses, woman gathered as well. Two on each side, all chatting different conversations in my ears with voices rough and sweet. As the sky grew steadily darker, the tavern grew livelier like it was a lamplight calling moths. But some moths were poisonous.
"So what else could I do?" I continued. "I went through the buildings." The girls gasped in union as I concluded my tale of escape.
"Oh- you're so brave!"
"Such an amazing pilot!"
"Oh, Ffamran!"
I laughed aloud, my face pink from so many drinks. "Please, you're making me blush."
"Well, look who's here." I turned on my seat, coming a few feet away from a threatening, bruised man. In my disarray, I did not remember his voice, but after a thorough look, I recognized him as the first guard that had tried to apprehend me. The other two were a foot or so behind him, glaring at me eagerly.
I commended his sly entrance, but no more than that. It was never good when an old friend showed up so suddenly.
"It seems we have company." I said to the girls beside me. They giggled in union, lightening the mood which the pilots were attempting to make ominous.
"Hey! We don't care if your Dr. Cidolfus' son- you owe us for the damage you caused." I raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so? I'm not the one who crashed into you. Oh- I see. You need the money for flying lessons." The girls swooned at my wit, and I felt myself utter a surprised laugh as well. The shots made everything seem humorous tonight. His frown turned to a satisfied grin.
"We didn't come for money, prettyboy." Before I could respond, or even whip out a signature slip away, he took a hold of my new shirt, wrapping the cloth around his fists, and tossed me onto a table. Glasses broke under me, and my wounded shoulder stung with the impact. I coughed, and when I opened my eyes, he was above me with a punch. I rolled off the table, landing on my feet even when I was so intoxicated. I suppose that I had the experience. His fist struck the wood, driving splinters and broken glass into his knuckles. He bellowed in pain, and looked to me in rage, as if I'd been the one to wound him.
"Well," I bowed curtly. "I would love to stay and chat, but-oof!" The other two had escaped my interest for the second, and now they appeared behind me, quickly restraining my arms. I tried to free myself, but at the first pull, the stitches on my shoulder began to tear. I stood upright, staring at the angry officer. I noticed that the bar was silent, save for his heavy footsteps as he walked up to me. Without any more words, he pulled back his arm and threw his fist forward. My vision jarred with the blow, and I fell as far forward as I could over my chest. I was winded, and the numbness in my chest quickly turned into pain.
"That's it- take it outside!" The bartender ordered, ready to sweep us though the doors himself. Another fierce punch shook my head, nearly giving me whiplash before they dragged me into the streets. I head the door swing open, and their footsteps against the stone, then I was pulled upright by my neatly combed hair.
"Better brace yourself, Balthier-wannabe." He punched straight, but because of his warning, I was ready for this one. I dropped all of my weight down, ducking as I did so, and his punch collided with both other officers.
"Thanks for the warning." Their grip instantly faltered, and I dashed. Though I was usually a fleetfoot, i was not in my top running condition after that get together. They caught up with me in seconds. I sidestepped the first man, and walked right into a large, bloody fist. Had that been my blood on his knuckles? There was quite a lot of it. I saw the dark, starless sky, then my head was jarred against the cold stone walkway. I tasted blood in my mouth, spilling from a deep cut on the inside of my cheek.
"Are you tiered, kid?" The first officer lifted me up by my collar. My head lolled backwards. "I can't hear you!"
"Enough." All the guards turned to where the commanding voice had come from.
A tall, dark young woman stood a few yards from us. She had ivory hair, falling down her back in silvery sweeps like moonlight. Most distinctively, she had a pair of soft, white rabbit ears, cropped in brown splashes of fur. She was the viera that had been sitting outside. I blinked to clear my vision, as the other officers were. Viera were not necessarily rare, but there were few in such bustling cities. The way she stood so tall and commanding, she seemed unreal.
The guards grip loosened on me, as if he were considering her demand, then tightened again. Smarter humans were aware that vieras were strong, and not meant to be underestimated. From what I'd heard, most were trained to be warriors at a young age. I was grateful that someone strong came to my aid, but it stung my pride to know that I could be saved by a woman. The guards hesitated, as if they knew she could be dangerous, but refused to give me up.
"This ain't your fight, little viera. Why don't you…hop off before we change our mind." Her eyes narrowed.
"Another example of hume ignorance." That did it. He dropped me, and I fell awkwardly to the ground.
"Ignorance is not shutting up when you should! But since you're here, you might as well keep us company for the night."
"Filthy skydogs!" I cussed. How dare they speak to a woman in such an insolent manner! I preferred for them not to save me, but they were creatures of great respect. "There is no redemption for the likes of you." I heard a deep yell of pain, and the officer fell backwards, holding the side of his face. I had not even seem the attack happen, but the sight of his crooked jaw told me enough. They should have run. He scrambled upwards as the other two suffered similar fates. Without giving me even a second glance, they sprinted down the streets until they disappeared from sight. "And don't come crawling up here again…" I murmured, spitting blood onto the cobblestones.
"Here." The viera dropped to my height, offering out her palms to assist me. I was ready to accept them until I saw her elongated fingernails- well groomed, but inches longer than humans wore them. The sight shocked me into pausing, but I quickly shook it off. I didn't want to appear rude on a first meeting.
She eased me into a chair outside the tavern, taking a seat beside me.
"Thought viera kept out of other's fights." I noted, holding my nose and tilting backwards to steady the obnoxious bleeding.
"His intent was to kill you. Only a hume would not intervene." Her explanation caught my interest.
"You suggest that us humes are coldhearted."
"I only suggest that your kind could do better." I paused, and dropped my head to see her fully. Like every other viera I had seen, her beauty greatly surpassed that of any other species. She was strong, and had shown unusual empathy to save me from those guards. She was unlike other viera. "But…what urged him to call you Balthier?" She asked.
"Haha." I smiled. "Balthier was a famous sky-pirate. He was from this city, and plundered more palaces than any pirate of his time, grinning all the while." I reiterated. She blinked slowly, as if my answer was unsatisfying. "You aren't like other viera I have encountered...unique." Her eyes seemed to become deeper, and the conversation drained from her lips.
"As I have been told before." She stood. "You seem fit to handle yourself- there is no reason I should stay longer." Damn! Girls always liked it when I told them they were one of a kind!
"There is indeed- what if I can't make it home? I may need someone to put me to bed." As she walked away, I regretted saying that. Not the most charming thing to say.
"A drunken fool holds no interest in me." With that, she strutted away with long, alluring strides.
…
"That viera is no exception at all! All of them-heartbreakers!"
